To Our Ojai Community:

Thank you for your patience and understanding as we recover from the damage from the Thomas Fire on our trails. In the coming months trails will likely open and close depending on rain and changing trail conditions. Click here for current information and trail notifications »

Ojai Meadows Preserve Animals

Baja California Treefrog

Pseudacris hypochondriaca hypochondriaca

It is a small frog with a large head, large eyes, a slim waist, round pads on the toe tips, limited webbing between the toes,

and a wide dark stripe through the middle of each eye that extends from the nostrils to the shoulders (good way to verify the Baja California treefrog).  Read More »

bobcat 1

Bobcat

Lynx rufus

(subspecies: Lynx rufus californicus (Mearns))

The bobcat resembles other species of the Lynx genus, but is on average the smallest. Read More »

gopher

Botta’s Pocket Gopher

Thomomys bottae (Also Valley Pocket Gopher)

Five species of pocket gophers are found in California, with Botta’s pocket gopher being most widespread. Read More »

California Ground Squirrel

Otospermophius beecheyi

Named for Frederick William Beechey, who explored much of Northern California in 1826-28 as captain of his majesty’s ship Blossom, this squirrel is also sometimes called the Beechey Ground Squirrel. Read More »

 California Toad

(Old Name: Western Toad)

Anaxyrus boreas halophilus

The California Toad grows to 2-5 inches from snout to vent. It is a large and robust toad with dry, warty skin. Read More »

Dragonflies (Anisoptera) and Damselflies (Zygoptera)

Dragonflies (suborder Anisoptera) are heavy-bodied, strong-flying insects that hold their wings horizontally both in flight and at rest. By contrast, damselflies (suborder Zygoptera) have slender bodies and fly more weakly; most species fold their wings over the abdomen when stationary, and the eyes are well separated on the sides of the head. Read More »

Eastern Fox Squirrel

Sciurus niger

The eastern fox squirrel (Sciurus niger) is a relatively large North American squirrel with a long, bushy tail and very variable coloration. Its scientific name, niger, means ‘black’ and refers to the black fur of the first individual to be described. Read More »

 weasel5Long-Tailed Weasel

Mustela frenata

(subspecies: California weasel, Mustela f. xanthogenys)

The long-tailed weasel has a total length of 300-350mm and a tail comprising 40-70% of the head and body length. Read More »

weasel5

Monarch ButterflyMonarch Butterfly

Danaus plexippus
Monarch butterflies are bright orange with black and white markings. The body of the monarch is black. The head has a set of antennae. Read More »

Western spotted skunkSpotted Skunk

Spilogale

Brush Rabbit

Western Brush Rabbit

Sylvilagus bachmani

The brush rabbit is smaller than many of the other cottontails, and unlike most of them, the underside of its tail is grey rather than white (which may be why its common name does not include the word “cottontail”). Read More »

Top